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Uribe cleared, but still may sit until Friday

5/1/14: Juan Uribe hits a ground ball up the middle to drive in Scott Van Slyke, plating the first run of the game for the Dodgers

By Ken Gurnick
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MLB.com |

LOS ANGELES -- Juan Uribe wasn't starting Tuesday night, and A.J. Ellis wasn't activated, but the Dodgers' lineup could be at full strength in a matter of days.

Manager Don Mattingly said Uribe was cleared for all activities after suffering a mild hamstring strain last week. But Mattingly said he'd prefer to hold Uribe out of the lineup until Friday in Arizona just to be sure.

"He thinks he can play today," Mattingly said. "[Trainer] Stan [Conte] thinks he can play today. But hamstring injuries are dangerous. I'd like to buy him through the off-day [Thursday]. I explained to him. We're in a tough spot when he's not in there."

Justin Turner has filled most of the playing time at third base since Uribe has been out.

Meanwhile, Ellis returned from his two-game Minor League rehab assignment on Tuesday, but was not activated.

"He feels good after catching the last two games," Mattingly said, without indicating when Ellis would be activated.

It will probably be Wednesday. Whenever it is, Miguel Olivo is expected to be optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque after signing a 45-day advance-consent assignment. Drew Butera has filled most of the playing time behind the plate in Ellis' absence since Tim Federowicz was optioned to Albuquerque.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.